NFL begins onboarding potential replacement refs as negotiations resume

Despite positive talks between negotiators for the NFL and the NFL Referees Association last week, the league has begun onboarding potential replacement officials to ensure that contingency plans for a breakdown in negotiations remain on course.League officials sent a memo to teams on Wednesday to inform them of the latest development. According to the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Athletic, a number of potential referees have completed NFL security background checks, while others remain in the process of doing so. Pre-employment physical examinations were expected to soon follow.Advertisement